Type-writing machine.



A. G. F. KUROWSKI.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 27, 1910.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED G. F. KUROWSKI, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWBITEB COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

To all whom it ma concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED G. F. KU- nowsm, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, city of New York, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved means in a typewriting machine for shifting the platen away from the paper guide to permit of easy insertion of considerable thicknesses of paper, or of paper with clasps and the like attached to it.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and effective .mechanism for shifting the platen transversely of the platen axis; and for guiding and controlling the movements and positions of the platen during the shifting operation.

One of the novel features of the present invention is a device for locking the platen against shifting on its bearings, so that under normal conditions, the platen may be rotated without chance of displacement. In the form of the invention hereinafter described, this locking device is permanently attached to the platen, and is movable thereon into and out of locking engagement with the platen shaft.

The invention, in certain of its forms, also includes an operating mechanism in which the device for locking the platen on its bearings also serves, after the platen is unlocked, as a means for shifting the platen away from the paper guide. In this form of the invention, therefore, a single device performs the functions heretofore performed by two distinct parts.

The invention in certain of its embodimcnts comprises a novel means which serves at once as a guide for the platen during the shift of the same, and as a. means for causing the platen and platen shaft to rotate together under normal conditions. This latter means, as hereinafter shown, may also serve to prevent longitudinal displacement of the platen on the platen shaft.

Still another feature embraced by the invention is the means by which both the platen and the platen shaft are held against rotation during the shifting of the platen with respect to the paper guide,

In one form of construction embodying Specification 1 Letters Patent.

Application filed October 27, 1910. Serial No. 588,455.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

the principles of my invention, the platen axle 1s rotatably mounted in the laten frame and has fixed thereto blocks shdably fitted 1n rectangular openings in the ends of the platen whereby the laten may be rotatecl by the axle, and is also shiftable transversely of the axle. Holding jaws pivoted on the ends of the platen embrace theaxle and hold the platen normally concentric therewith, but may be se arated to release the axle and permit shifting of the platen. The platen may be thus released and shifted by means of a manually-operated cam member which engages pins on said jaws and cams the jaws apart a distance limited by a slot-and-pin connection between the jaws andplaten end, and then shifts the platen relatively to the shaft. The cam member at one end of the platen may be connected through a rock shaft to a similar member at the opposite end of the platen, so that both ends are released and shifted simultaneously relatively to the shaft. The holding jaws are returned to locking position by means of springs which may seat in grooves in the peripheries of the holding jaws.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view in perspective of so much of the mechanism of the typewriting machine as relates to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the platen and attached parts, the platen being shown in longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged View inside elevation of the mechanism at the right-hand side of the platen for locking and unlocking the platen, and for raising the-platen transversely of the platen shaft.

relatively to the paper guide; the parts being shown intheir normal positions. Fig. 4.- is a view similar to Fig. 3, except that the operating levers have been moved sufficiently to unlock the platen from the platen shaft. Fig. 5 is a view showing the position of the parts when the operating levers are fully thrown and the platen is shifted.

The platen of the typewriting machine is indicated at 1. The shaft or axle 2 has a bearing at each end at 2 in the platen frame. The end plates or heads 1 of the platen each has an oblong slot 3 through which the platen shaft extends, and by reason of which the platen may be shifted transversely with respect to the shaft from the normal position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown -in'-Fig. 5, while'ythe' shaft ,remains in its bearings in the laten frame. Slide blocks 3, fixed upon t e axle 2, fit

within the slots 3, and by engagement; with laten 1 is a pair of plates forming shutterike opposing jaws 4: and 5, with faces preferably flush one with the other. Each of the two jaws is provided with a slot 7 through which extends a pin 8 mounted in the head of the platen. The slots 7 are all curved in the arcs of circles struck from the pivots 6 on each head, as centers, thus enabling the jaws to swing on their pivots. The turning movement of the jaws 4 and 5 is limited in each direction by the engagement of the pins 8 with the end walls of the slots.

The jaws i and 5, in the normal positions of the parts, (see Fig. 3) clasp or latch the platen shaft to hold the platen concentric with the shaft, and are properly cut orsha'ped, for this purpose, to fit bosses 8 on the shaft, springs 9 occupying grooves 9 in the peripheries of the C-shaped disk-like jaws at each end of the platen, tend to swing the jaws or latches together and to hold the same in normal positions, shown in Fig. 3.

Projecting from the outside faces of the jaws 4 and 5, below the slots 7, are lifting pins 10 and 11, respectively, whereby the jaws may be swung apart upon the pivots 6,

- to release the platen from its axle, to permit the platen to be lifted.

The opening of the jaws, and the shift of the platen away from the paper guide 27 and feed rolls 27, is effected as follows: A bell crank 12, provided with a handle 13, is pivoted to the platen frame at 14. To the lever 12 is pivotally connected a link 15, the other 'end of which link is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 17. The lever 17 is pivoted on a stud on the platenframe at 1.8. The lower arm of the lever 17 is pivotally connected at 19 to a combined link and double cam platen-raising member 20 which latter is, in turn, pivotally connected at 22 to an arm 21 fast to a rock shaft 26, having bearings in two bracket arms 24, one upon each end of the platen frame, and connected to a corresponding member 20 at the other end of the platen. Preparatory to raising or shifting the platen 1, the platen must first be turned to a position, denoted by markings 24 and 24 on the platen and platen frame, so that the shutters are in the position shown in Fig. 3 with respect to platem lifting member'20.' If, while theplaten is in this position, the lever 12 is swung forward, the llnk 15 is drawn back to swing the lever '17, thereby raising the platen-lifter 20 into engagement with the pins 10 and 11 on the shuttersvt" and 5, respectively. When the member 20 is thus lifted, a cam surface 30 on one side of the member 20-engages the pin 10, and a cam surface 31 on the other side of the member engages the pin 11. The lever 17 is sufiiciently spaced from the end of the platen to avoid en agement with either on both pairs of jaws 4 and 5, and force the latter apart against the tension of the springs 9. from Fig. 3 position to Fig. 4 position. The two jaws 4 and 5 in each case are turned around their common pivots 6 by the cams 30 and 31, until the pins 8 come into engagement with the lower endwalls of the slots 7. When the jaws have had their maximum rotational movement around pivots 6, they have been withdrawn from underneath the shaft 2, or the collar 8" thereon, and the platen 1 can now be moved up while the shaft 2 remains stationary, this relative movement being permitted by the slots 3 in the platen heads. The lifting of the platen is effected by the continued upward movement of the lifter 20 after. the jaws have been swung to the open position in which the lower ends of the slots 7 engage the pins 8 (see Fig. 4 The movement of the lifter 20 is thereafter transmitted through the jaws to the platen by the pins 8, and the platen is lifted from Fig. 4 position to Fig. 5 position. The lower end of the block 3, by engagement with the lower wall of the slot 3 limits the lift of the platen and the throw of the operating connections.

In Fig. 2, the jaws 4 and 5 are shown at the both ends of the platen. The connections for operating the left-end jaws, and for shifting that end of the platen. include a lifter 20 at the left hand end of the platen, said lifter connected at its lower end (see Fig. 1) to an arm 21 fast to this end of the rock shaft 26. The lifter of course has the cam surfaces 30 and 31 heretofore described for engaging the pins 10 and 11 on the jaws, and at its upper end is connected to an arm similar to the lower arm of the lever 17, and, like the latter mounted on a similar stud 18. hen the movement of the right hand member 2-0 rocks the shaft 26, this movement is transmitted to the left hand member 20 through an arm 21 at the left-hand end of the platen, and the two members 20 consequently rise together to operate the shutters and shift the platen. The arm on the left hand stud shaft 18 serves to control the movements of the member 20 to which it is attached.

When the parts are in the Fig. 5 position, the paper 32 is inserted between the platen and the paper guide 27 and the rolls 27, carried on arms 28. The lever 12 is then pushed back, causing the platen-lifters 20 to be depressed until their under surfaces engage the bar 34 on the platen frame and are arrested by the latter. The operator then presses the platen down to normal position, determined by the engagement of the upper surfaces of the blocks 3 with the upper ends of the slots 3 in the platen heads. When the platen has been depressed (with the jaws) sufficiently far to permit the jaws to embrace the platen shaft, the springs 9 snap the shutters into their original Fig. 3 position to lock the platen against accidental shifting movement. The blocks 3 are carried by hubs 35, secured to the shaft by set screws 36, so that when the shaft is rotated by the hand wheels or the linespacing wheel 37 the platen, by reason of the engagement of the blocks in the slots 3, is rotated with it. The platen shaft is prevented from rotation during the described lifting movement, by the engagement of the lifting members :20 with the pins 10 and 11. \Vhen the members :20 are in normal positions, however, the shaft and platen may be freely turned. The line-space wheel 37 has a spring detent 38, and is operated by a normally'disengaged pawl 39.

The structure shown is susceptible of various modifications within the scope of the invention; and portions of the improvements maybe used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, a device carried by the platen and movable thereon to lock the platen to the platen shaft, and means for moving said locking device to release the platen from the shaft, and shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the platen is unlocked from the shaft.

2. In a typewriting machine, the cqmbination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen having hearings in the platen frame, a device pivotally attached to the platen for holding the platen on its bearings, and means for moving said device to permit the platen to be moved from its bearings, and shifting the platen from its bearings relatively to the paper guide when said holding device is moved.

3. In .a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, locking levers pivotally attached to the platen and normally engaging the platen shaft to lock the platen to the platen shaft, and means for moving said locking levers to release the platen from the shaft, and shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the platen is unlocked from the shaft.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a paper guide, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, a device movable into and out of engagement with the platen shaft for locking the platen in position on the shaft, and means for moving said locking device to release the platen from the shaft and for shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the platen is so released.

In a ty ewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, a device pivotally attached to the platen and normally engaging the platen shaft to lock the platen to the platen shaft, and cams for moving said locking device to release the platen from the shaft, and shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the platen is unlocked from the shaft.

6. In a. typewriting machine, the combi nation of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, a device pivotally attached to the platen and normally engaging the platen shaft to lock the platen to the platen shaft, means for moving said locking device to release the platen from the shaft, and a spring for returning said locking device into engagement with the shaft; the platen being shiftable transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the platen is unlocked from the shaft.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, and means for separating said locking elements to permit the platen to be moved relatively to the shaft, and shiftin the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the locking elements are separated.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements pivotally attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, and means for separating said locking elements to permit the platen to bemoved relatively to the shaft, and shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paperguide when the locking elements are separated.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, and a cam mechanism for separating said locking elements to permit the platen to be moved relatively to the shaft, and shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide when the locking elements are separated. I

10. In a typewriting machine, the combinationof a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, said locking elements being movable apart to unlock the platen from the shaft, stops to limit the movement of said elements apart, and means engaging said elements to move the same apart on the platen until said movement is stopped and thereafter to move the platen transversely of the shaft by means of said elements. I

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a

platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between themwhen in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, said locking elements being movable apart to unlock the platen from the shaft, stops to limit the movement of said elements apart, and means engaging said elements to move the same apart on the platen until said movement is stopped and thereafter to move the platen transversely of the shaft by means of said elements.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame. a paper guide. a platen, a. platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, said locking elements having a pin and slot engagement with the platen to permit of a limited movement of the elements apart for releasing the platen from the shaft, and means engaging said locking elements to move the same apart on the platen until such movementapart is arrested by the engagement of the pin with the end of the slot. and

for thereafter shifting the laten 'with the lockmg elements transverse y' "of the shaft by means of the locking elements and the pm and slot engagement of the same with the platen. 1

1 3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearin in the platen frame, two elements attache to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, sald locking elements having a pin and slot engagement with the platen to permit of a limited movement of the elements apart for releasing the platen from the shaft, and cams engaging said locking elements to move the same apart on the platen until such movement apart is arrested by the engagement of the pin with the end of the slot, said -means thereafter shifting the platen with the locking elements transversely of the shaft by means of the locking elements and the pin and slot engagement of the same with the platen.

1 r. In a typewriti-ng machine, the combinatlon of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having hearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal posltion so as to lock the platen to the shaft, sa1d locking elements having a pin and slot engagement With the platen to permit of a hunted movement of the elements apart for releasing the platen from the shaft, cams engaging said locking elements to move the same apart on the platen until such movement apart is arrested by the engagementof the pin with the end .of the slot, said means thereafter shifting the platen with the looking elements transversely of the shaft by means of the locking elements and the pin and slot engagement of the same with the platen, a lever for actuating said cam, and means for controlling said cam in its movements.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platenframe, a paper guide, a platen, .a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, two elements attached to the end of the platen and shaped to embrace the platen shaft between them when in normal position so as to lock the platen to the shaft, said locking elements having a pin and slot engagement with the platen to permit of a. limited movement of the elements apart for releasing the platen from the shaft, cams enand slot engagement of the samewith the platen, and a spring for forcing said locking elements together to embrace the sha ft wl1en the platen is returned to normal position.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a. platen, platen shaft having hearing in the platen frame, and means for slnfting the platen transversely of the platen shaft relatively to the paper guide, preventing rot-ation of the platen during the shift of the platen, and preventing rotation of the platen shaft during the shift of the platen.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a. platen. frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame. and means for shifting the platen transversely of the platen shaft relatively to the paper guide, said means coniprising a member movable on the platen frame to prevent rotation of the platen and the platen shaft during the shift of the platen.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a platen shaft having bearing in the platen frame, and means for shifting the platen transversely of the platen shaft relatively to the paper guide, said shifting means also including elements which when in engagement prevent rotation of the platen during the shift of the platen.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a platen shaft, guides on the platen shaft on which the platen is mounted to have movement transversely of the shaft, and means for shifting the platen on said guides.

20. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a platen shaft extending through the platen, and a guide and guideway perpendicular to the shaft to permit the platen to be shifted transversely of the shaft and relatively to it.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a platen shaft extending through the platen, and means forming a guideway whereby the platen may be shifted transversely of the shaft and relatively to it.

22. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a platen shaft, means forming a guidewaywhereby the platen may be shifted transversely of the shaft, and stops in said guideway to limit the shifting movement of the platen.

23. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a platen shaft extending through the platen, means forming a guideway whereby the platen may be shifted transversely of the shaft and relatively to it, and means for locking the platen in said guideway concentric with the shaft.

24. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen having slots in the ends thereof, a platen shaft extending through said slots and carrying blocks fitted within said slots to serve as guides on which the platen is shiftahle transversely of the platen shaft.

In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen having slots in the ends thereof, and a platen shaft extending through said slots and carrying blocks fitted within said slots to serve as guides on which the platen is shiftahletransversely of the platen shaft, said guide blocks having flanges to prevent displacement of the platen longitudinally of the shaft.

26. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen having slots in the ends thereof, and a platen shaft extending through said slots and carrying blocks fitted within said slots to serve as guides on which the platen is shiftahle transversely of the platen shaft; said blocks bemg shaped to cause the platen to be rotated with the shaft when the latter is rotated.

27. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a platen shaft extending through the platen, means permitting movement of the platen transversely of the shaft but preventing relative rotation of the platen and the shaft and a spring normallylholding the platen concentric With the shaft.

28. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen, a shaft extending through the platen and having bearings in the platen frame, and means for shifting the platen transversely of the shaft relatively to the paper guide and shaft and holding the shaft against rotation during the shift of the platen.

29. In a typewritingmachine, the combination of a platen frame, a platen, a shaft having bearings in said frame and extending through the platen, guides on said shaft, on which the platen may move transversely of the shaft, and means for shifting the platen on said guides.

30. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide on the platen frame which holds the paper against the platen, a platen shaft extending through the platen and having bearings in the platen frame, and means for shifting the platen transversely of the platen shaft relatively to the paper guide and shaft and holding both the platen andthe platen shaft against rotation during the shift of the platen.

31. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a platen frame, a paper guide, a platen having bearings in the platen frame, levers carried by the platen for holding the platen on its bearings, and means upon the platen frame for moving said levers to permit the platen to be moved from its bearmgs ail;

and shifting the platen from its bearings relatively to the paper guide when said holding levers are moved.

32, In a typewri the platen shaft between them when innormal position'so as to lock the platen to the shaft, means to move said locking elements apart on the platen and thereafter shift the platen transversely of the shaft, and a spring extending around the peripheries of said locking elements for forcing said eleting machine, the combi 'nation of a platen frame, a paper-guide, a

ments together to embrace the shaft when 1 the platen is returned to normal position.

33. In a typewriting machine,the combination of a platen frame, a paperguide, a platen, a platemshaft having bearing-in the platen-frame, and means on the platen frame and reacting against the platen frame for shifting the platen transversely of the platen shaft relatively to the paper guide and holding the platen shaft against rotation during the shift of the laten.

ALFR D G. F. KUROWSKI. Witnesses;

K. FRANKFORT, C. RIPLEY. 

